The position of leadership is the most important in the church. It supersedes any family interest or reputation; hence, it’s paramount that it’s those who are chosen by God who are appointed to lead.
This is one area the church needs to get right if it really wants to reach its full potential, as the church whose leaders were chosen by God did; otherwise, it would keep chasing shadows and never be able to do so.
In the Bible days, hardly would you see a religious or spiritual leader handing over leadership to a family member. It was only during the era of the kings that leadership had to do with the king’s bloodline, but see how disastrously it ended sometimes.
Even King Solomon, who was the son of David, a man after God’s heart, provoked God to anger at the end. That led God to divide the kingdom into two and would have taken it completely from that lineage, but for remembrance of His servant David, he didn’t.
It won’t succeed if they are not chosen by God but are often forced to become what they’re not inclined to be or don’t have the attributes required for that.
I have seen several instances where family members, especially the wives and children of church leaders, have been forced to take over their position, even though they didn’t have what it required to do so, but the result reflected that it was the choice of men, not that of God.
If Moses had handed over leadership to his family member instead of God’s chosen one, Joshua, Israel would have never reached the promised land.
If Elijah had handed over to his family member instead of God’s chosen one, Elisha, the office of the prophet in Israel would have suffered a significant decline.
If Jesus had handed over to His own family members and not those God chose for Him, His disciples, the Gospel of the Kingdom wouldn’t have been communicated effectively.
I believe that this example was what worked for the Redeemed Christian Church of God. It was the choice of God to have appointed Pastor E.A Adeboye, to take over from the founder, rather than the choice of men.
In my best opinion, handing over your ministry to your son is NOT wrong, so long as you are instructed by God to do so. God established his covenant with Abraham, and he extended it to Isaac and then to Jacob. Why? He made that choice as the God that he is.
So, if God decided to allow the founders son to take over from him, then, I see no problem with that.
Now, let us quickly see some men of God who have handed over ministry to their children.
List of Pastors Who Handed Over Ministry to Their Sons
Here are some Prominent men of God who handed over their Ministry to their sons:
1. Archbishop Benson Idahosa
Archbishop Benson Idahosa, the founder of the Church of God International, handed over to his wife, Rev. Margaret Idahosa, and his son Bishop Feb Idahosa.
Bishop Feb Idahosa presides over the Church of God Mission International and also doubles as President, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City.
2. Kenneth E. Hagin
Kenneth E. Hagin of Rhema Bible Church handed over to his son, Pastor Kenneth Wayne Hagin. His son, Kenneth Wayne Hagin, is currently the pastor of Rhema Bible Church and president of Kenneth Hagin Ministries.
3. Prophet T.B Joshua
Prophet T.B Joshua, founder of Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), handed over his ministry to his wife, Evelyn Joshua. She is the head of the ministry alongside her children.
4. Pastor Taiwo Odukoya
Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, Fountain of Life Church senior pastor, handed over to his son, Pastor Jimmy Odukoya.
Jimmy Odukoya (Nollywood actor) has been named the senior pastor of the Fountain of Life Church. It comes after his father, Taiwo Odukoya, the church’s founder, died at 67 in the United States on August 7.
